Chef Stephen Lewandowski, the executive chef at Townhouse in Greenwich, CT, took time off his busy schedule to chat with Suburbs 101. We asked him to name his favorite restaurants in Connecticut, Westchester County, and New York City. Here are the best restaurants in Connecticut and NY according to Chef Stephen Lewandowski.
We are also very excited for the upcoming Greenwich Wine and Food Celebrity Chef Gala on October 7, 2022, where Chef Stephen Lewandowski will be a celebrity guest chef.
Eat Where the Chefs Eat is a column where local Chefs and food industry insiders share their favorite restaurants in the New York metro area. Learn where your favorite chefs go when they aren’t in their own kitchens!
Best Restaurants in Connecticut according to Chef Stephen Lewandowski
What are your favorite restaurants in Connecticut? What do you usually order at each restaurant?
I really enjoy Artisan restaurant in Southport, CT. Chef Fredric always has very interesting and well-executed pasta dishes on the menu. His specials are intriguing and he generally sources local ingredients which always interest me. The one dish I love is the Roasted Halibut Cheeks with Fennel Mousseline. Simple but extremely flavorful.
Another restaurant is Bonda in Greenfield Hill, Fairfield, CT. This is a small chef-owned restaurant that prides itself on being the place where locals eat. It has a small comfortable bar area that allows you to have a great meal while being very relaxed. My wife and I will grab some stools at the bar and settle in for a great glass of wine and one of my favorite dishes, the Spaghetti Puttanesca. This is a simple dish with Olives, anchovies, tomato, and a touch of chili. You can tell the level of experience in the kitchen because this dish is always flawless.
Best Restaurants in New York City according to Chef Stephen Lewandowski
What are your favorite restaurants in NYC? What do you usually order at each restaurant?
I am biased as I spent 12 years at Tribeca Grill in downtown Manhattan. I always enjoy going back and walking around the neighborhood and then making my way to Tribeca Grill. The food is always fresh, intriguing, and well prepared. They have an amazing wine list that specializes in Châteauneuf-du-Pape so I generally go for anything braised on the menu. The one dish that seems to be the highlight is the Red Wine Braised short ribs with Parsnip mousse. As fall approaches, I can’t wait to go back to Tribeca Grill for this awesome dish and a glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
I am also a big fan of all of Daniel Boulud’s restaurants. I have been fortunate enough to have cooked with Daniel during my time in the city as well on some special occasions over the past few years. The one restaurant of his that stands out for me the most is Bar Boulud. It is a casual French bistro where the food highlights French countryside cooking with pates, terrines, and braised meats. The wine list is very in-depth with lots of Burgundian producers. Going to Bar Boulud is always a treat when I go to the city. PS. Don’t miss out on the Duck Confit at Bar Boulud!
Looking for Restaurant Recommendations from Chefs? Check out our other Eat Where the Chef Eats interviews:
Chef Luke Venner’s Favorite Restaurants in New York and Connecticut
Chef Peter Kelly’s Favorite Restaurants in Westchester
Best Restaurants in Fairfield County: Chef Robin Selden
Best Thai Restaurants in NYC: Grumpy Dumpling Chef Kook’s Faves
Best Restaurants in NY: According to Chef Ellen Sledge
Best Restaurants in Litchfield County, CT: According to Chef Evan Kalogiannis
Best Sushi in Greenwich, CT: According to Chef Scott Fratangelo
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Suburbs 101 is an insider’s guide to suburban living. Get the inside scoop on what it’s really like to live in the suburbs through our interviews with local suburbanites and features on Food, Fashion, Home, Garden, Travel, Pets and Local Events. Be sure to Follow Us on Instagram, Like Us on Facebook and subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter.